Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > October > 04 > Entry
Oh, Henry! ‘Slim 15’ elevated to 53-man active roster; TB Kenny Watson cut
WR CHRIS HENRY GETS
CALLED UP; TB KENNY
WATSON GETS ‘KNIFED’
===LUDWIG AT LARGE predicted Chris Henry would get promoted to the 53-man roster for Sunday’s game at Dallas. But I thought tight end/fullback Daniel Coats would be the one who got cut, not an outstanding veteran like Kenny Watson.===
Wide receiver Chris Henry is in Irving, Texas, with the Cincinnati Bengals (0-4), and he’ll be in uniform “No. 15” on Sunday, Oct. 5, catching passes against the Dallas Cowboys (3-1).
The Bengals’ offense, ranked 31st in the league — second to dead last — needs a spark, and Henry is it.
The team added Henry to the 53-man active roster on Saturday. To make room, the Bengals terminated the contract of tailback Kenny Watson, who became expendable when Cedric Benson signed a one-year contract on Tuesday.
Henry practiced this past week on a roster exemption following his return from a four-game NFL suspension for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
The Bengals had the option of keeping the exemption until Monday or elevating Henry to the active roster by Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
Henry showed enough skill in practice to be a factor in today’s game against the Cowboys.
A player with a history of off-field problems (five arrests), Henry was released April 3 after being charged with assault following an incident in Cincinnati.
But charges were dropped after a trial resulted in a hung jury. With no further matters pending in the courts against Henry, the Bengals signed him on Aug. 19.
“From everything I can tell, he’s doing a great job of blocking the right people out, the people who kind of brought him down, and has really just focused on his family and getting his life back together,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “A lot of the guys who have had a chance to spend time with him and talk to him have noticed it, and they’re proud of him in that way.”
Palmer is also expected to play today after missing last week’s game against Cleveland with an inflamed right elbow.
Watson, a seventh-year veteran, immediately become an unrestricted free agent. He’ll definitely get signed by a team that wants his veteran experience, leadership and talent.
Watson gained 32 yards on seven attempts in three games. He was sidelined against the Browns with a strained hamstring. He also had two receptions for three yards.
Watson took over for injured Rudi Johnson in 2007 and gained 763 yards on 178 attempts (a 4.3 average) with a long gain of 24 yards and seven rushing TDs.
PALMER SHOULD PLAY
Bengals fans should expect Palmer to start against the Cowboys. The game means too much to him to be idle on the sidelines.
Palmer had full participation in practice on Friday and looked good, according to head coach Marvin Lewis. Palmer has been suffering from an inflamed right elbow.
The elbow injured was sustained on a first-quarter sack against the New York Giants.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
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